Vaughan tops United’s deadline shopping list

Feb 1 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Newcastle have already spoken to Everton about Vaughan’s availability and would look to take him on loan with a view to a possible summer move, but the Toffees are not particularly keen to let him leave on those terms. A bid of around £2.5m may be enough to get him, but Newcastle’s preference for a temporary switch may see them move on to other targets.

Hughton has also been monitoring Mexican Vela as he looks to add pace to his striking options. The Gunners are looking to loan the young Mexican out after their FA Cup exit but any move would be complicated by Arsenal’s insistence that he plays regularly.

“I would like to bring in another player before the deadline,” Hughton confirmed. “I am certainly looking to bring in before 5pm Monday. I don’t envisage it to be a busy day but hopefully it is busy enough.” United certainly looked in need of fresh impetus on Saturday as they struggled to put away ten-man Leicester City – settling for a hard-earned point after being second best for long spells.

Hughton at least had good news to report on the injury front, with Shola Ameobi and Danny Simpson expected to return in time for the Cardiff City game on Friday.

Peter Løvenkrands and Jonás Gutiérrez will also come back into contention despite both sitting out Saturday’s trip to the East Midlands. Hughton opted to rest Løvenkrands, who is still mourning his father, and said he did not want to risk Gutiérrez aggravating a thigh strain.

That meant Kevin Nolan up front with Nicky Butt returning to midfield. They struggled to create but Hughton insists he made the right calls – and that his midfield was good enough to provide the inspiration for a promotion charge.

“What you do is work a squad. What people forget is we are a side sitting at the top so we must be doing enough thing right to be there,” he said.